Hello parents of new Boy Scouts. Just wanted to send this note on what boy scouts need on a campout. Below is a list that everyone uses including adults. It is on the permission slip form that you will fill out for each campout. It is also on the website under camping. This list is for weekend camping. Separate lists will be available with additional items for long term campouts (winter and summer camp). These are just a few comments from me on the items. 

If you have any questions, please ask.
               Thanks,
           Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 336


General notes. 

1. Boys at 11 years are growing. It is not advisable to go buy expensive clothing because they will out grow it quickly

2. Boys at 11 years old lose stuff. It is recommended that their name is on items (troop t-shirts for example)

3. Boys should pack their own stuff. Its ok for the parents to look over what they have packed. But generally they know what they will use/wear on a campout. 

4. Electronics are allowed in the vehicles to activities but are not allowed to leave the vehicle when we arrive. 

5. Scouts should not bring their own food or snacks. They plan their meals and buy their food for the campout. When boys drink sodas and eat sugar, they can be disruptive. 

6. You should not get expensive items. Boys at 11 years old generally do not take care of stuff. And generally they don't really care if they are wearing a rain poncho or a gortex lined Northface rain jacket.


Notes from the list.

First column is clothing. Class A uniforms are required to wear to and from campouts. Boys do not pack their neckerchief because it will get lost. An old pair of tennis shoes are good for almost all campouts. For pants/shorts, jeans or zip-aways are ok. They should generally be khaki, tan or green per the troop handbook. For rain gear for an 11 year old a poncho works pretty well. They are inexpensive and made really for only one or two uses. But it just doesn't rain here that much. When they get a little older and their growth has slowed down some, there are several choices such as Frogg Toggs that they can get. 

Toiletries: Tooth brush/tooth paste is a good thing to bring (hopefully they will use it). A bar of soap/wash cloth isn't necessary, but maybe camp suds or purell if you think they will use it. 


Personal items: 

A small first aid kit would be good, Generally band-aids are all that are needed. The troop carries a first aid kit to each campout. 

Sun screen/bug spray depends on the time of year.

Sleeping bag...this is a tough one because every one is different. Generally we recommend sleeping bags made from synthetic material because it is water resistant. Night time temperatures on campouts range from 80+ degrees at summer camp to less than 10 degrees at Merit Badge College campout in January. There are sleeping bag liners which can add to the effectiveness of the sleeping bag during colder weather. Also, additional clothing can be worn at night.

Sleeping pads are recommended because our local camps (sid and worth) have rocky terrain. Generally boys don't really care. So something inexpensive works great.

Flash lights are very useful. Small LED flashlights/head lamps work good because they have a longer battery life. But a regular small flashlight works good. 

Tent/ground cloth. For boys at 11 years old, we don't recommend spending too much on a tent. Tent size should be a 2/3 man tent because smaller tents are easier to setup. The tent should have a rain fly. If they have one already, just make sure that it is in good condition (poles aren't broken, nothing is missing, all the stakes are there). We use the tent buddy system, that is 2 to a tent. We also have two troop tents available for use on a campout. A ground cloth is recommended. This can be a tarp like what you might find at a hardware store. This keeps the bottom of the tent in good condition and helps keep the tent dry when it rains. 

Alarm clock-A watch with an alarm would be helpful. 

Compass is only necessary on certain campouts where we do orienteering

Scout handbook is always good to bring. On a lot of campouts, we do work on requirements. If the boys don't get the requirement signed off when done, they generally forget to get it signed off at the troop meeting. Books should be in a water-proof bag such as a zip lock bag.

Medications should be given to the scoutmaster in charge of the campout on Friday at the church with instructions per the permission slip.

Fork/knife/spoon/mess kit/cup/water bottle. This is absolutely required. We do not have paper plates and plasticware on campouts. For water bottles, I recommend bringing water bottles with a total of at least two liters on each campout and at least one of those should be filled at the house. These containers could be a water bottle/nalgene or some sort of bladder system.

The rest is purely optional. Pen and paper is required for camps where they are taking merit badges.

Troop 336 Camping Equipment Check List